Friday Two Cents: Perseverance And Confidence In Myself

Perseverance – Noun: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

This past I learned an important lesson; perseverance and to be confident in myself. It has been nearly a year after I graduated from teacher’s college and it has been a difficult time trying to find a teaching position. I have been fortunate to be working as a supply early childhood educator (ECE) for the school board but I would like to work as an elementary teacher. To that end I have been sending out resumes and trying to apply for teaching positions wherever I see a posting.

I also applied to different school boards and have gotten a few interviews. Yet the most difficult part has been waiting for a response. A couple have not been too encouraging due to the distance I would need to travel to work. The difficulty would be moving to a new city for perhaps twos days of work a week. A bit problematic to say the least.

In the past couple of weeks I have begun to feel a bit disheartened by the lack of opportunities. Even though I have a job as a supply ECE, I want to continue to grow and improve myself and gain experience as a teacher. Yet with the waiting and a couple of set backs, I had moments where I lost faith in many things and I began questioning my own abilities. But those moments were brief and in the end I looked within myself and said, “Stay the course.” So I tried to put aside my doubts and focused on other things.

Recommendation Letter

This past week my self-doubt’s came to an end when I received a letter saying that I was recommended for a position on the supply teacher list in the school board. To be honest I did not jump up and down or scream out for joy. I just sat down and read the letter twice before it sank in and even them it did not seem real. I brought into the school I work in and asked the administrators if this means that I have the job. They smiled and said yes, that is when I felt all the doubts and second thought melt away. Yet I still did not see the need to tell everyone about it. I knew that there were other people trying to get a job too and I did not want to show excessive pride in my accomplishments or hubris, to spare their feelings.

But in the end I am tremendously happy that I have entered the next chapter on this long journey. I would imagine I need to keep in mind the words spoken my Marie Curie …

‘Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.’ Marie Curie

I know that I am meant to teach and that I can obtain that goal. I just need to remember to have perseverance but above all, confidence in myself.

2 Responses to Friday Two Cents: Perseverance And Confidence In Myself

Congratulations Paul. I hope that means you’ll be at our school as a supply teacher. You already feel like a part of the staff but I know that this will mean more money for you and another step closer to getting a permanent job.

About Me

Born and raised in Toronto Canada, I am a certified Elementary teacher working at a school board with children from kindergarten to grade 5. The one thing you should know about me is that I love all art forms but especially drawing, writing and music.

I discovered that when I inspire others, they in turn inspire me. This wonderful realization is the inspiration in creating this blog. My creativity comes from the people around me. Hopefully, I can inspire others as they have inspired me.
I try and post everyTuesday and Friday along the following themes:

Tuesday – I will try to post some of my art or that of the children’s
Friday “Friday Two Cents” – I will try to post my opinion, or my two cents, on something that happened in the news or to me during the week.

But watch out during the other days of the week just in case. If I find something Inspiring, Interesting or Creative, I will do my best to share it